Beginning on Sunday, Dec. 3, Archdale, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Randleman, Reidsville and the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority utilities will implement a water quality preventative maintenance program that will involve temporarily using chlorine instead of chloramines to disinfect the drinking water.

 According to a press release from the City of High Point, this change is needed “to maintain the safety of our drinking water and to optimize the water quality in our distribution systems.”

 The switch to chlorine is scheduled to end the week of May 5, 2024.

This temporary, scheduled change in disinfectant is a standard practice in water treatment, since rotating the two disinfectants periodically helps keep water mains clean and free of potentially harmful bacteria. The rotation process is meant to keep the water safe for drinking while optimizing the quality of the water in the system.

High Point officials warn that, during this time, some users might notice water taste or odor differences.

“This is a normal part of the transition, and the water quality will not be impacted,” the press release from High Point states. “Both chlorinated and chloraminated water are safe for drinking, cooking and other general uses.”

It adds, however, that “Specialized industries such as medical facilities offering kidney dialysis, fish tank and pond owners and some businesses that use water in their production process should take precautions and make the required adjustments to their current filtration and treatment systems.”

Anyone who has questions can contact the City of High Point’s Customer Service line at 336-883-3111 or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Resources are also available via the EPA’s website as well as at www.highpointnc.gov/waterqualitymaintenance.